Sport: Tams raging for redemption

Tams raging for redemption

By Michael Angelo Jugado

Student Trainer

After five years, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws opened its bid to reclaim lost glory with an astounding 4-0 start in UAAP season 73.

With sensational sophomore Ryan Roose Garcia slowly becoming Far Eastern's go-to-guy, filling the shoes of departed controversial guard Mark Andy Barroca, and with highly-touted rookie Terrance Romeo living up to his billing, the boys from Morayta seem to be invincible.

Add to that the development of Smart Gilas standouts Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling plus the imposing inside presence of Reil Cervantes, Pippo Noundou and Mark Bringas and you get a shoo-in for the first finals slot, if not the crown, for this season.

It was in 2005 which the Tamaraws last tasted the crown, with then " King Tamaraw" Arwind Santos steering FEU to the top via a sweep against the Mac Cardona-Joseph Yeo duo of De La Salle University.

Their first game was a testament that they are for real and not just strong on paper.

Glenn Capacio and his wards stunned back-to-back defending champions Ateneo in a nail-biting 72-69 victory as the Zamboanga-native Garcia tied his career-high 25 points and delivered treys down the stretch that left the Morayta faithful upbeat on their chances this year to unseat the Blue and White.

Of course, no one could be happier than Capacio, a sharp-shooting guard in his PBA heydays, watching his team doing a Houdini act at the expense of a gritty but weary Ateneo unit. "Super" was the only word the ex-Purefoods and Mobiline ace could utter.

While the 5'9" super-sophie Garcia, a former RP youth team stalwart, said "Ako yung leader ng team, so kailangan kong maging good example sa kanila."

The chemistry of this rejuvenated unit was evident in their 91-81 win over a struggling UE Red Warriors, in which they halted the red-hot Paul Lee en route to their third straight triumph.

They proved to their last season's Final Four tormentors that "tomorrow begins in the FAR EAST"

After that banner year in 2005, the Tams missed the Final Four the next season --- a painful setback for this school known to be a perennial title contender, producing big names in the pros like Johnny Abbarientos, Santos and Jonas Villanueva.

They endured criticisms but buckled down to work as Capacio entered the fray and made it to the next three seasons only to be waylaid by hungrier quintets.

This time, though, FEU has all the pieces to be the UAAP champions once more.